Abstract:

Fresh sprouts of Toona sinensis Roem treated with 100 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) were stored at (25 ± 2) ℃ with RH (50 ± 5)% for 4 d, and then the postharvest respiratory rate, browning rate, nutritional and functional ingredients were analyzed. The results indicated that the respiratory rate and browning level were inhibited and the appearance of respiratory peak was postponed in Toona sinensis Roem sprouts treated with 6-BA. The nutritional and functional ingredients such as soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C, flavonoids, saponins and total polyphenols declined slower in treated sample than those in control. Altogether, this study demonstrat that the postharvest quality decline of Toona sinensis Roem sprouts is associated closely with their respiration and 6-BA treatment could suppress their respiration during postharvest storage to keep their quality.

Key words: 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), Toona sinensis Roem, sprout, postharvest treatment, respiration, polyphenols, flavonoids